Portable Multibeam Echosounder Surveying Suite of Equipment
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The NOAA National Ocean Service (NOS), Office of Coast Survey (OCS) is conducting a Sources Sought Synopsis to identify qualified U.S. domestic businesses capable of providing a Portable Multibeam Echosounder Surveying Suite of Equipment. This market research aims to inform future acquisition decisions for a fully integrated, portable, and rapidly-deployable system for navigation response work. Responses are due by April 20, 2026, 2:00 PM EST.
Scope of Work
The requirement is for a fully integrated and highly portable multibeam surveying suite, including:
- Multibeam echosounder
- Integrated positioning and orientation system
- Integrated surface sound speed sensor
- Associated antennas, cables, light-weight sonar mounting system, and hardware for vessel-of-opportunity mounting.
The system must be:
- Portable: Checkable on commercial flights, hand-portable by two people or less.
- Rapidly Deployable: Mobilization from packaged to deployed within 1.5 hours.
- High Quality: Data must meet or exceed NOAA's 'Exceptional' hydrographic quality specification.
- Turn-key: Delivered ready for deployment.
- Operational: Capable of collecting data at 8 knots.
This equipment is critical for emergency response hydrographic survey operations, identifying wrecks/obstructions, and supporting nautical charting, especially in remote areas or during disaster response.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Sources Sought Synopsis (Market Research)
- NAICS: 334511 (Underwater Sound Equipment) with a size standard of 1,350 employees.
- Delivery: By December 31, 2026, to Seattle, WA (earlier preferred).
- Response Due: April 20, 2026, 2:00 PM EST.
- Published: April 8, 2026.
Response Requirements
Interested firms should submit a brief narrative (max 3 pages) and documentation demonstrating capability and experience. Submissions must include:
- Firm's name, address, point of contact, telephone number
- UEID Number, CCR Cage Number
- Business type and size (e.g., small, large, HUBZone, 8(a), SDVOSB, WOSB).
Additional Notes
This is a request for information only and not a solicitation or commitment to issue a procurement. No contract will be awarded based on responses. All contractors must be registered with SAM. Questions must be submitted in writing to Michelle Walton (michelle.walton@noaa.gov).